Food doesn’t get much tastier than homemade pasta. If you’re interested in making pasta at home, this offering from Weston is a device worth considering. Known for high-quality products that perform well, Weston is a trusted brand name, and this is a traditional manual pasta maker.
The Weston is easy to use and a great addition to your small kitchen appliances. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be making pasta with the best of them.
Features
This pasta maker has a double cutting head. It comes with a C-clamp, which is easy to use and attaches the machine firmly to your work surface.
The machine is sturdy, made out of metal with a plastic handle for the manual crank. It has been safety tested and comes with its own recipe book.
This model features adjustable rollers with seven settings, so you can choose the perfect thickness for your pasta. The included instructions are clear and easy to read.
The appliance comes with a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, for your peace of mind.
Ease of Use
The Weston is lightweight, clocking in at only one pound. It takes up little storage space and can easily be used by any family member, although the kids may need some assistance. The dial adjusts the thickness of the roller and moves easily.
The hand crank is a doddle to use. But, like any manual machine, if you’re making large amounts of pasta on a regular basis, you may want to look at something motorized.
This model only comes supplied with the necessary components to make fettuccine and spaghetti. However, Weston does make other attachments that are compatible with this particular machine for a wide variety of pasta options.
Before anything else, it’s good to plan on doing a test batch you have no intention of eating. This allows the dough to move through the machine and collect any manufacturing debris that may have been left behind. While there may be nothing there at all, it pays to play it safe.
This machine isn’t made to be washed repeatedly. To keep it in the best shape, make sure your dough is a little on the dry side. This will help prevent any sticky residue being left behind inside the machine. If you let your dough sit for a few minutes after it’s been made, it will absorb excess moisture.
For best results, after rolling the dough let the sheet rest for 20 minutes or so. This will help your pasta cut smoothly and leave you with cleanly cut pasta shapes.
After you’re finished with the pasta maker, wipe it down with a clean cloth. Use a stiff pastry brush to remove stubborn remnants, if needed. Store it in a dry place and it will be ready for you the next time you need to make pasta.
Is It Worth Buying?
The Weston is a handy appliance offered at a great price. As far as manual pasta makers go, it works pretty well. While it’s genuinely easy to use, some may find cranking it tiring with prolonged use.
However, an electric motor attachment is just one of many accessories that can be bought from the manufacturer.
The C-clamp provided with the pasta maker is practical and straightforward to use. However, if you have a curved or decorative edge to your countertop, it may not fit correctly. You could have difficulty getting it to stay put if the clamp cannot be tightened sufficiently.
If the working surface you plan on using is not hard-wearing, this could also be an issue. But a simple solution here is simply to place a thin non-slip mat between the machine and the surface. This will help protect your counter or table from unnecessary damage.
Without the necessary stability, the pasta machine can move around a little. However, at a pinch, an extra pair of helping hands can help you roll out the pasta.
The metal is lightweight, however, which may leave it prone to stripped gears. Still, it’s a great value for money product and you can expect to get some good use out of it.
If you’re looking for a simple manual pasta maker, this model will certainly work for you. If you are new to pasta making, this is a great way to try it out without making a large financial commitment.
Overall, this is a great entry-level pasta machine. It comes with everything you need to get started making pasta. With the additional attachments available from the manufacturer, this machine is one that can grow with your skill level as well.
